Fort Worth, TX Weapons Crimes Lawyer

Skilled Attorney Defending Clients Facing Weapons Charges in Fort Worth

Criminal offenses involving firearms or other dangerous weapons tend to come with much more serious prosecution than other types of offenses. Weapons crimes are often charged as felonies, and convictions may be punishable by years in prison. Defending against a weapons charge requires a thorough investigation and a deep knowledge of Texas laws. If you have been charged with a weapons offense, a Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer can provide you with qualified legal advice and represent you in court.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we have experience defending clients who have been accused of serious violations. With our vast experience in criminal law, we can explore a variety of strategies in your defense, working to get a weapons charge reduced or possibly dismissed.

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Although Texas respects the rights of gun owners, there are very strict penalties for violating the state's gun laws. Certain people in the state are prohibited from owning firearms. These include convicted felons, members of criminal gangs, convicted domestic abusers, and people subject to a domestic violence restraining order.

The penalties for unlawful possession of firearms can vary from case to case. Convicted felons may not own or possess a firearm until at least five years have passed since their release from prison and the end of parole, probation, or other forms of supervision. If a felon possesses a firearm, the offense is charged as a third-degree felony. Under most other circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm is charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which comes with a fine of up to $4,000 and a possible jail sentence of no more than a year.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can defend your rights in a case involving accusations of unlawful possession of a firearm. We may be able to argue that you did not knowingly possess the firearm in question or that the evidence against you was illegally seized.

Aggravated Assault

Texas treats the crime of assault very seriously, especially when deadly weapons are involved. Using a gun to threaten another person is punishable as aggravated assault, even if no shots were fired. By itself, this crime is a second-degree felony, with a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years and a minimum of two years. However, if you caused serious bodily harm to a family member through the use of a deadly weapon, you could be sentenced to life in prison on first-degree felony charges.

A charge of aggravated assault can put your freedom on the line. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we will look for any mitigating circumstances to get the offense reduced to a lesser charge. For instance, we may be able to argue self-defense if you believed that your life was in immediate danger and the use of force was proportional to the threat.

Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon / Discharge of Firearm

You can be charged with firearm smuggling in Texas if you knowingly transport or transfer an illegally acquired gun for profit or on more than one occasion. In most cases, firearm smuggling is a third-degree felony, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. However, if the crime involved more than three guns in a single incident, you could face second-degree felony charges.

Much of the prosecution's argument may center around criminal intent, meaning that you purposefully committed a crime. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we may be able to argue that you were not aware that the guns were illegally obtained, giving you a credible defense against a firearm smuggling charge.

Contact a Fort Worth, Texas Weapons Crimes Attorney Today

A conviction for a weapon crime can set your life back for years with a long prison sentence. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, our Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer has the resources, skills, and experience to effectively represent you in court. To schedule a free consultation with our firm, call us at 817-732-6392 today or contact us online.